Manually-held supporting device for assisting children in learning to walk



March 11, v.1930. CRQCKER 1,749,999 MANUALLY HELD SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR ASSISTING CHILDREN IN LEARNING T0 WALK Filed NOV. 50. 1928 Patented Marti 11,1930 r v EDNA L. CROCKER, F DENVER, COLORADO MANUALLY-HELD SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR ASSISTING CHILDREN IN LEARNING T0 WALIK Application filed November 30, 1928. Serial No. 322,606.

My invention relates to improvements in a manually-held supporting device for assisting children in learning to walk.

The object of the invention is to provide a body band which is adapted to be secured upon a child, and which is provided with relatively long looped members which are secured to the back of the band and which are held by an attendant in supporting a child in position to walk, the said looped members enabling the attendant to assume an upright posture while supporting the child, thus eliminating the fatigue and discomfort which result where the attendant is compelled to stoop over and place her hands under the childs arms, as is ordinarily the case.

These objects are accomplished by the de vice illustrated in the accompanying draw ings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the improved supporting device.

Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the apphcation of the device and the manner in which 1t 1s used, and

Fig. 4 is a view of the blank from which the body band ismade.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates the body band of the improved supporting device, which may be made of any suitable fabric and is formed from a single piece of material of suitable length and Width for the purpose intended. The blank A or piece of material from which the band is formed is folded along'its longitudinal center line, as indicated by the dotted line a in Fig. 4 to give a double thickness to the band, and recesses 2 are then cut into the two loose edges to provide arm openings as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The loose end and side edges are folded over, as well as the marginal edges of the arm openings 2, and the folded edges are connected by a line of stitching 3 and a line of stitching 4 is also sewed along the length of the band near the lower folded edge thereof. But before the upper edges are sewed together, the opposite ends of each of a pair of shoulder straps 5 are inserted between the two thicknesses of the band, adjoining, the arm openings, and also one end each of a pair of supporting loops 6, the end of the loops lying against the ends of the shoulder strap which would come on the rear side of the band when worn and then the edges of the band, the rear ends of the shoulder straps, and one end of the supporting loop are all stitched together. The other end of'each supporting loop is thenv placed against the outside of the band on what would be its rear side, and directly over the end already stitched, and is secured by a line of stitching 7, thus firmly securing the two ends of the said loop to the rear side of the band. Each loop and each shoulder strap is of double thickness.

Adjacent each end of the band is formed a row of holes 8 to receive a lacing cord 9, and these holes may be either stitched, or provided with eyelets. The supporting loops 6 are of such length that in practice their looped ends can be conveniently held by an attendant while standing or walking in an upright position. The band is of sufficient width to extend around the childs abdomen, as shown in Fig. 3.

In use, the lacing cord 9 is passed through the eyelets in the body band in the manner shown in Fig. 2 and the band is placed upon the child, his arms being passed through the shoulder straps, and the lacing cord is drawn sufliciently to cause the band to fit closely around the body, and then the cord is tied. The band is thus held securely upon the body of the child without causing the least discomfort. By this means the child can be supported in an upright posture by an attendant holding the looped ends of the supports, and the child can thus be assisted in learning to walk, while the attendant is entirely relieved of fatigue and discomfort which would be inevitable if she were compelled to stoop over and support the child, as would be the case without the use of the improved device.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a supporting device for assisting children in learning to walk; a one-piece body band havin arm openings, shoulder straps, the ends oi which are secured to said band adjacent said arm openings, said body band having eyelets in its end portions and a lacing cord in said eyelets thereby to secure the band upon the body of a child, and relatively long looped members the freeen'ds of which are secured to the upper back ,portion of said band whereby an attendant in a standing posture can support a "child in position for walking. 1 g

2'. lna supporting device of the character described, a body band of suflicient length 'to surround the body, and of-sulficient width to extend from the chest to below the abdomen,

the ends of the band being at "the back,-and being connected by a lacing cord, and relatively long looped handstraps, the ends of which are :s'ecuredto the back of the band at the upper edge thereof, whereby the pull on the straps in supporting a child is sustained by the abdomen.

In testimonywheredf, I affix my signature,

EDNA CROCKE'R. 

